The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation
The Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in San Francisco, California, established in 2019 as a 501(c)(3) organization. The foundation operates with dedicated paid staff and focuses on supporting individuals and organizations working in specialized fields including food systems, earth science, field biology, and computational media.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$561.4M
+78.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$14.3M
+79.0% YoY
Grant Count
1
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$14.3M
+79.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation reported a distributable amount of $19.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's grantmaking emphasizes recognizing and supporting individuals whose work is under-recognized and at critical career moments. The foundation's stated philosophy is to provide unrestricted awards that amplify voices and give awardees time and funding to advance their work.
Primary funding areas include:
- Food: Supporting individuals working in food systems, with focus on nutrition, education and access; environmental sustainability; and craft, cultural knowledge and tradition
- Earth Science: Recognizing researchers studying the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, deep Earth, biosphere, cryosphere, planetary science, paleontology and interdisciplinary interactions
- Field Biology: Supporting field-based biological research
- Computational Media: Funding to engage underrepresented students in computational media fields
Grantmaking
The foundation makes one-time, unrestricted awards to individuals. Grant amounts have ranged from $30 to $696,900, with recent total giving of approximately $14.3 million annually.
How to Apply
**: The foundation does not accept self-nominations. For its awards programs, invited nominators confidentially identify candidates, and a selection committee recommends awardees.
Ready to take the next step with The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports individuals and organizations based in the United States, with particular emphasis on US-based candidates for its awards programs.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2023:
- Total Assets: $315,052,824
- Total Revenue: $85,984,420
- Total Expenses: $14,880,244
- Total Liabilities: $5,610,000
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $561,446,478
- Total Giving: $14,280,509
The foundation's revenue includes grants and contributions, investment income and dividends, and gains/losses from asset sales.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $561,446,478 | $315,052,824 | $202,514,873 |
| Revenue | $481,434,879 | $85,984,420 | $-7,149,866 |
| Expenses | $24,644,264 | $14,880,244 | $8,328,224 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $16,631,675 | $9,962,895 | $6,578,894 |
| Net Investment Income | $260,473,154 | $119,691,433 | $2,203,306 |
| Distributable Amount | $19,195,309 | $11,629,241 | $10,515,932 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 1 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
120 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Grant Paid - See Attachment a ($14,280,509).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| GRANT PAID - SEE ATTACHMENT A SAN FRANCISCO, CA | SEE DETAIL ON ATTACHMENT B | $14,280,509 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Delle Maxwell - President (5 hours/week, unpaid)
- Patrick Hanrahan - Secretary & Treasurer (2 hours/week, unpaid)
- Rachel Strader - Executive Director (40 hours/week, $293K compensation)
- Miriam Billinger - Operations Director (40 hours/week, $234K compensation)
- Katherine A Porras - Operations Officer (40 hours/week, $137K compensation)
- Rebekah Frank - Program Officer (32 hours/week, $134K compensation)
- Parwana Mohammad Ayub - Program Associate (40 hours/week, $107K compensation)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DELLE MAXWELL | PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
| PATRICK HANRAHAN | SECRETARY & TREASURER | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2025 Earth Science Awards**: Program launched in 2026 to recognize and encourage researchers whose work has been under-appreciated or is at an early career or critical stage
**2025 Food Awards**: Foundation announced recipients across multiple states working in food systems, aquaculture, and sustainable agriculture
**2025 Field Biology Awards**: Program continues to support field-based biological research
MH Field Biology release 2025**Fund for Teachers Partnership**: Foundation established new partnership to support teacher development
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation fund?
The foundation's grantmaking emphasizes recognizing and supporting individuals whose work is under-recognized and at critical career moments. The foundation's stated philosophy is to provide unrestricted awards that amplify voices and give awardees time and funding to advance their work. Primary funding areas include: • **Food**: Supporting individuals working in food systems, with focus on nutrition, education and access; environmental sustainability; and craft, cultural knowledge and tradition
How do I apply for a grant from The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation?
The foundation makes one-time, unrestricted awards to individuals. Grant amounts have ranged from $30 to $696,900, with recent total giving of approximately $14.3 million annually. **Application Process**: The foundation does not accept self-nominations. For its awards programs, invited nominators confidentially identify candidates, and a selection committee recommends awardees. **Recent Grantees and Awards**: • 2025 Food Awards recipients include BJ Dennis (Charleston, S.C.), Dune Lankard (Cor…
Where does The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports individuals and organizations based in the United States, with particular emphasis on US-based candidates for its awards programs.
What size grants does The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation award?
In 2024, The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation awarded 1 grants totaling $14.3M — an average of about $14.3M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation reported a distributable amount of $19.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation's EIN?
The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-2118884. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Gochnauer Family Foundation
CORONA DEL MAR, CA
Assets
$15.2M
Grants
39
Total Given
$313K
Cottage Health
SANTA BARBARA, CA
Assets
$172.1M
Grants
6
Total Given
$179K
International Right of Way Association
GARDENA, CA
Assets
$5.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$9K
Quince Interfaith Housing Corporation
LEMON GROVE, CA
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
William & Lillian Schwartz Charitable Foundation
LA JOLLA, CA
Assets
$325K
Grants
1
Total Given
$3K
Covia Foundation
GLENDALE, CA
Assets
$15.2M
Grants
1
Total Given
$4.8M
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching The Maxwellhanrahan Foundation to a real strategy.